Graham Chronofighter Black Arrow Digi Camo
The Graham Chronofighter Black Arrow Digi Camo Ref 2CCAU.E05A is equipped with a fascinating gadget, a laser activated planisphere. Angus Davies dons his battle fatigues and explores the many attributes of this fascinating camouflaged timepiece.
This detailed review of the Graham Chronofighter Black Arrow Digi Camo Ref 2CCAU.E05A includes live images, specification details and pricing.
I remember the incident with abject horror. There he was, my son, five years old at the time, suspended from the upper bunk of his bed by a leather belt. ‘What are you doing?’ I exclaimed in horror, unprepared for the answer that followed. ‘Abseiling’ he replied indignantly.
As I reminisce at the events of that day, I cannot stop chuckling at the vision of his attire. His faux army uniform was adorned with his ‘gadgets’ including torch, plastic ‘pretend knife’, toy pistol, handcuffs and an array of carabiners. Looking back, my five year old may not have frightened any self-respecting ‘baddie’ but, right from being a young boy, there was always an ‘all action hero’ waiting to come out to play.
The majority of men love the idea of being a combative soul like James Bond, but perhaps go cold on the idea when the notion of ‘muck and bullets’ rears its ugly head. Nevertheless, like all disciples of 007, my young son included, gadgets proffer much appeal.
Now, Graham has unveiled a fascinating chronograph, the Chronofighter Black Arrow Digi Camo, sporting a striking camouflage colour scheme and equipped with a gadget straight from the annals of Boy’s Own. Shine a laser beam at the dial of the Chronofighter Black Arrow Digi Camo and a beam of light bounces back onto an adjacent wall showing a green depiction of a planisphere. Suddenly, the idea of an ejector seat seems old hat. Holding the Chronofighter Black Arrow Digi Camo in my hands, I felt a compunction to accept my mission and uncover more secrets relating to this fascinating timepiece.
The dial
Plump, black luminescent hour and minute hands prove most adept at imparting the prevailing time both day and night. The hour markings are depicted in the widow’s favourite hue and, once again, are luminescent.
The dial canvas is adorned with a ‘beige-shaded’ digital camouflage motif. At 3 o’clock, a small seconds display resides, featuring the reference of the movement, Calibre G1747. Positioned at 6 o’clock is a 30-minute chronograph register which, in conjunction with the central chronograph seconds hand, measures elapsed time.
A small, circular aperture at 8 o’clock reveals the date and, courtesy of its black and white colour scheme, proves simple to read. Located above at 9 o’clock, a ‘Laser system control triangle’ features. Shining the 1mw-Class II green laser pointer, supplied with the watch, at the triangular form on the dial causes a planisphere, complete with time zones, to be projected on an adjacent surface.
Another attribute of the laser pointer is that pointing it at the ‘Laser system control triangle’ provides a ‘forgery proof and non-reproducible security system’, conferring a tangible, real-world benefit to prospective owners.
Encircling the periphery of the dial is a telemeter scale, proving ideal for measuring the distance between an event and the observer based on the speed of sound. For example a bolt of lightning seen 2 kilometres from the observer will be accompanied with a clap of thunder approximately 6 seconds later.
Despite the dial featuring a ‘Digi Camo’ motif, it proves eminently legible and highly practical to use.
The case
Graham has often been associated with large watches and the Chronofighter Black Arrow Digi Camo proves no exception, measuring a substantial 47mm in diameter. However, despite its size and steel construction, the watch does not feel unduly cumbersome or heavy.
The appearance of the Chronofighter Black Arrow Digi Camo has a stealth-like quality, courtesy of its matt black PVD coated steel finish and matt black ceramic bezel.
The chronograph ‘trigger’ is formed of black carbon and shares its appearance with the device fitted to the recently reviewed Graham Chronofighter Superlight Carbon Skeleton. The profile of the trigger proves optimally shaped to accommodate the right thumb. Moreover, the ergonomic profile of the trigger makes it highly intuitive for starting and stopping the stopwatch function, mitigating the ‘human factor’ encountered when the brain considers actuating or halting the chronograph.
The crown discreetly sits within the trigger assembly, but its neat position does not mar ease of operation. Indeed, I found the crown very simple to manipulate.
Gracing the dorsal plane of the case is a pane of smoked sapphire crystal according sight of the Calibre G1747 movement.
Both the case and the trigger assembly possess a hewn from granite robustness which looks capable of surviving apocalyptic trauma.
The movement
The self-winding G1747 chronograph movement will prove familiar to Grahamphiles, especially those who already possess one of the brand’s other Chronofighter models. The movement is a reliable modular chronograph which has seen service at the maison for some years.
The balance has a frequency of 28,800 vph (4Hz) and the movement contains 25 jewels. The watch is capable of 48 hours autonomous operation.
By smoking the sapphire crystal on the caseback it does slightly inhibit the capacity to see all of the movement detail. However, close examination reveals Côtes de Genève motif on the central bridge and oscillating mass with perlage featuring on the mainplate, all details which augment the ownership experience.
Closing remarks
The vast majority of Graham Chronofighter Black Arrow Digi Camo buyers are unlikely to ever use their watch in anger as a military tool. This is similar to the vast number of luxury car buyers who lack the ability to exploit the maximum performance of their vehicle. However, similar to a fine automobile offering an impressive array of gadgets for the delectation of its occupants, many of which are seldom used, there is something endearing about a watch which displays more than hours and minutes. In this regard the Graham Chronofighter Black Arrow Digi Camo offers more, much more than the majority of watches. Indeed, as my young son once proclaimed, ‘You can never have too many gadgets’.
Technical specification
- Model: Graham Chronofighter Black Arrow Digi Camo
- Reference: 2CCAU.E05A
- Case: Stainless steel; diameter 47mm; water resistant to 10 bar (100 metres); sapphire crystal to front and case back.
- Functions: Hours; minutes; small seconds; date; chronograph; telemeter scale; planisphere
- Movement: Calibre G1747; self-winding movement; frequency 28,800vph (4Hz); 25 jewels; power reserve 48 hours
- Strap: Beige canvas strap supplied on black DLC pin buckle.
- Price: £4,860 (RRP as at 30.11.2016)
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